Pro – Hindutva outfit Sanatan Sanstha on Saturday took out a “protest march” holding aloft pictures of individuals facing either terror or murder charges who were associated with the organisation. The protest march followed the route on which Andhrashaddha Nirmoolan Samiti had taken out a padyatra earlier in the day to mark the third death anniversary of Dr Narendra Dabholkar.

The police, which apparently remained spectators, said in the evening they were examining the “legality” in this case. While the Dabholkar family alleged that the Sanatan act showed brazen disregard for the law of land, Sanatan said they wanted to send out a message that “innocent” people were being framed and arrested for crimes they never committed.

“It is completely shocking that they (Sanatan) can carry out such acts in broad daylight once again… We want to know from the police whether carrying pictures of people facing serious offences is allowed, whether they support this kind of public show of support for those under arrest,” asked Hamid Dabholkar, son of the slain anti – superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar.

“We don’t know what the government headed by Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state’s Home Minister, has to say on this. Is such glorification of people involved in criminal and terror acts allowed? Is the CM in favour of such acts in Maharashtra… the CM should tell the people of the state, his government should clarify its stand,” he said.

Hamid said they took out a padyatra from the same spot on the Vithal Ramji Shinde bridge where his father was shot on August 20, 2013. “The rally ended at Sanaji Guruji Samarak. After our rally ended, they (Sanatan) took out a protest march apparently on the same route,” he said. The rally by the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti was attended by over a thousand people, which included prominent personalities like Prakash Ambedkar, Baba Adhav, Vidya Bal, Bhai Vaidya, Shamsuddin Tamboli, Manisha Gupte, Ashok Dhivre, Nagraj Manjule and Subhash Ware.

The Sanatan Sanstha said they had done nothing wrong. “Our objective was to protest against the wrongful arrests of individuals… Even after 72 days, the CBI has not been able to produce even any evidence against Dr Virendra Tawde arrested in connection with Dabholkar’s murder case…

Similarly, no trial has been conducted despite charge sheet having being filed against Sameer Gaikwad in the Govind Pansare murder case in Kolhapur. The Pansare family has succeeded in getting the trial postponed by raising various demands,” said Abhay Vartak, spokesperson for Sanatan Sanstha.

He said that in the Sadhvi Pragya Singh case too, the National Investigation Agency had given her a clean chit. “Yet, she is not being released from the jail… we want to know why ? That’s why we were protesting,” he said. On carrying pictures of Lt Col Shrikant Purohit, accused in the Malegaon blast case, and Dhananjay Desai, accused in the murder case of techie Mohsin Shaikh, Vartak said they too were framed for acts which they never committed. “Hence, we were protesting seeking justice for them,” he said.

Vartak, however, denied they carried out their protest march on the same route on which ANS took out its rally. “But some routes could have been similar given the same area in which the marches were taken out,” he said. Vartak said the anti – superstition activists have been demanding a ban on Sanatan Sanstha and Sanstha now wants a ban on the Andhshradha Nirmoolan Samiti and the Privartan Trust. “These organisations have foreign funding. That’s why the government should investigate their acts and initiate appropriate action like imposing a ban on them,” Vartak said. Maruti Bhapkar of Swaraj Abhiyan said,”It is a highly condemnable act. What is more shocking is that the police have remained spectators and not initiated any action.” Activist Manav Kamble said, “It speaks poorly of the Pune police. How can they permit such acts?.” When contacted, Joint Commissioner of Police Sunil Ramanand said,”We are examining the legality in the matter and will take appropriate action.”

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said,”The Congress has been against such kind of tendencies…We have been demanding a ban on such organisations, but the present state government seems to be in support of such organisations and their acts which go against the law of the land.” Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said, “Till a person is found guilty, he is innocent. Therefore, a protest march can be taken out in their support, but it was not an appropriate act to do so on the same day on which Dabholkar was killed.”

Rival processions here marked the third death anniversary of anti – superstition

campaigner

Narendra Dabholkar who was killed on this day in 2013 when he was out for a morning walk. Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), several other like – minded groups, civil society activists and others took out a large procession demanding justice for Dabholkar who was gunned down by two unknown motorcycle – borne shooters.

Simultaneously, a few activists of Sanatan Sanstha — which has been linked to Dabholkar’s murder through accused Vinod Tawde — and other groups attempted to take out a protest march but were stopped by the police.

They raised slogans calling for an end to what they called trial of Sanatan Sanstha by the media. Leading the MANS procession, Dabholkar’s daughter Mukta urged all people to join the movement for peace and strengthen the voice of rationalists. Dabholkar’s son Hamid said if his father’s killers remained untraced for three years, what hope the common masses could have for justice.

“We shall continue to demand justice and fight for the ideals which he stood for,” Hamid said. Sporting black ribbons and carrying banners and placards, the marchers shouted, ‘Narendra Dabholkar Amar Rahe,’ and walked to the spot where he was killed. The groups also organized cultural programmes in Dabholkar’s memory.

Several commemorative marches, candle – light vigils and other programmes are being organized across Maharashtra to pay homage to Dabholkar.

Vitthal Ramji bridge in Pune witnessed an unusual gathering on Saturday. After anti – superstition activist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was shot on the bridge, his followers have been regularly taking out marches beginning from the bridge.

But on the third anniversary of his daylight assassination, an unexpected group of people marched on the same route: it was the Sanatan Sanstha, whose members are accused of plotting the murder!

The first march was organised by the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS), the antisuperstition organisation set up by Dr. Dabholkar. They painted the bridge in black and released black balloons in the air to protest the slow pace of investigations.

The second march began just after the first got over. It was led by hard – line Hindu organisation, Sanatan Sanstha. Two members of the Goa – based Sanstha are accused in the murder cases of Dr Dabholkar and communist leader Govind Pansare.

Same Day, Same Route, Similar Slogans

Sanatan Sanstha’s march in Pune is seen as an attempt to grab media attention as local media had extensively covered protest marches on the first two death anniversaries of Dabholkar. After two of its members were arrested and demand for a ban on the organisation renewed, the media cell of the Sanatan Sanstha has been working overtime. They have been sending detailed daily messages, holding regular press meets and trying to get as much air time as they can. Sanatan Sanstha not only chose the same day and a similar route as the ANS, but they also raised similar slogans. The famous slogan of ‘aamhi saare Dabhokar’ (we are all Dabholkar) was changed to ‘aamhi saare Sanaatan’ (we are all Sanatan).

While anti – superstition activists demanded justice for Dabholkar, the Sanatan Sanstha demanded justice for the accused, who they believe are innocent After back – to – back murders of Dabholkar and Pansare, programmes of Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS) have become rallying points for all organisations and parties, which they term “antifascist”.

Activists and leaders of Communist parties, socialist parties, Republican parties, Aam Aadmi Party, labour unions, progressive Muslim organisations as well as members of progressive theatre and film movements were a part of the march.

On the other hand, the Sanatan managed to get local Shiv Sena leaders, Hindu Janajagruti, Goraksha Samiti and over a dozen of lesser known Hindu outfits on its side. Interestingly, apart from two of its members, Sanatan carried placards demanding justice for Sadhvi Pragya and Colonel Purohit, who are backed by the BJP. Slogans were also raised for Hindu Rashta Sena leader Dhananjay Desai, who is accused of rioting and killing Muslim youth in Pune.

Activists of ANS fear that Virendra Tawde, who is arrested by the CBI in connection with Dr Dabholkar’s murder, will be freed if CBI fails to file a charge sheet within 90 days. Similarly, the Special Investigative Team of Maharashtra police is struggling to find substantial proof against Sameer Gaikwad, who is arrested in connection with Pansare murder case. Karnataka CID has demanded custody of both Sanatan members as they suspect that the two killed rationalist MM Kalburgi as well.

Family members of Dr Dabholkar allege that the Maharashtra police, which had reportedly resortedto ‘planchet’ to find out murderers, had lost clues as they didn’t act swiftly in the first few hours after the murder.

In the first week of this month, the Bombay High Court had expressed displeasure at the pace at which investigations were proceeding. “If investigations do not conclude fast, it might give an impression to people that you don’t want to arrest certain people,” the court had told CBI and SIT.

Rival processions mark third death anniversary of Narendra Dabholkar in

Pune

Pune: Rival processions in Pune marked the third death anniversary of anti – superstition campaigner Narendra Dabholkar who was killed on 20 August, 2013 when he was out for a morning walk.

Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), several other like – minded groups, civil society activists and others took out a large procession demanding justice for Dabholkar who was gunned down by two unknown motorcycle – borne shooters.

Simultaneously, a few activists of Sanatan Sanstha – – which has been linked to Dabholkar’s murder through accused Vinod Tawde – – and other groups attempted to take out a protest march but were stopped by the police.

They raised slogans calling for an end to what they called trial of Sanatan Sanstha by the media. Leading the MANS procession, Dabholkar’s daughter Mukta urged all people to join the movement for peace and strengthen the voice of rationalists. Dabholkar’s son Hamid said if his father’s killers remained untraced for three years, what hope can the common masses have for justice.

“We shall continue to demand justice and fight for the ideals which he stood for,” Hamid said. Sporting black ribbons and carrying banners and placards, the marchers shouted, ‘Narendra Dabholkar Amar Rahe,’ (long live Narendra Dabholkar) and walked to the spot where he was killed. The groups also organised cultural programmes in Dabholkar’s memory.

Several commemorative marches, candle – light vigils and other programmes are being organized across Maharashtra to pay homage to Dabholkar.

As many as 1,000 activists of the Maharashtra Andha – shraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS) and likeminded organisations today took out a procession to observe the third death anniversary of antisuperstition crusader Narendra Dabholkar here.

As the procession winded its way towards the Omkareshwar bridge where Dabholkar, founder of ANS, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on August 20, 2013, supporters of the right – wing Hindu organisation Sanatan Sanstha took out a protest march.

Sanatan Sanstha has come under the scanner following the murders of Dabholkar and fellow rationalist and CPI leader Govind Pansare in Maharashtra.

Police had to intervene to ensure that two processions did not come face to face.

“It has been three years and agencies are yet to nab the real perpetrators of Dabholkar’s murder, and there is no progress in the investigation after the arrest of Virendra Tawde,” said Mukta, Dabholkar’s daughter.

Seeking justice for her father, she urged the people to to join in the rationalist movement. People were in fact slowly joining the progressive movement pioneered by Dabholkar and it was a good sign, she said.

Members of progressive organisations had decided to write to the Prime Minister seeking speedy investigation of the murders of rationalists, she said.

Participants in the ANS’s procession sported black ribbons and shouted slogans hailing Dabholkar, Pansare and Kannada scholar M M Kalburgi who was shot dead in Dharwad last year, allegedly by the right – wing extremists.

On the other hand, supporters of Sanatan Sanstha, whose ‘sadhaks’ (disciples) Virendra Tawde and Sameer Gaikwad have been arrested in the Dabholkar and Pansare murder cases, respectively, protested against “harassment” by investigation agencies.

“Tawde and Gaikwad are being harassed and there is no concrete evidence against them,” said Sunil Ghanvat of Sanatan Sanstha.

Several programmes, including a film festival, have been organised in the city to mark Dabholkar’s death anniversary.

CBI is probing the Dabholkar murder case after the state police failed to make any headway. CBI made its first arrest – – of Tawde – – in the case in June this year.

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Superstitions speak to powerful emotional needs that science often leaves unfulfilled. it caters to fantasies about personal powers we lack. It offers satisfaction of spiritual hungers, cures for disease, promises that death is not the end. It assures us that we are hooked up and tied to the Universe